Totalitarianism In 1984

The awareness of a dictatorial style of government is emphasized in the book 1984, in which Orwell warns the human race about the potentially devastating impact a sole authority can have on a population. The ruler will not only take control over all individuals who are inferior, but will also change the past history of society and force the individuals to accept the alterations. This idea of having one power reigning supreme, also known as totalitarianism, is presented through the depiction of characters within the text, as well as through the distinct conflict and setting. The use of these literary elements alongside the diction Orwell implements helps to warn the audience of the dystopian society that will be created if a single power has

After the war was concluded, the fear of a dictatorship, as well as communism was feared amongst the United States citizens due to events such as the Cold War, McCarthyism, and the Red Scare. To show the negative impact that a solo run government would have on America, Orwell wrote 1984 to warn the public to continue the fight against those countries trying to inflict their government on the United States through his the characters of Winston and O'Brien. Winston is known for being the force to rebel against the Party, ultimately resulting in the deterioration of himself into “a bowed, gray colored, skeleton like thing” (271) due to his inability to follow the strict rules set in place by the ruler. He was constantly being watched by the Party to ensure that he was not revolting or breaking the rules, which is demonstrated through the statement, “any sound Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up” (Orwell 3). This feeling of being watched by the superior power and broken down due to his different outlooks on life is used to warn the Americans to not let a totalitarian style of government be implemented as any sense of security and privacy will be stripped under the ruling of a